Apparatus for pouring surface treatment liquids onto workpieces

ABSTRACT

The invention comprises apparatus for pouring surface treatment liquids onto substantially level workpieces to enable different liquids with different viscosities to be used to good effect comprising an elongated liquid container having upper liquid feed means and walls defining a longitudinally extending pouring gap between their surfaces in the lower region of said container, characterized by an overflow device for adjusting said liquid level in said container which device is located on said container and communicates with said liquid container; the surface of said overflow device defining openings at various levels which are offset relative to one another and alternately closable whereby said liquid level may be adjusted. The overflow device is preferably a rotatable hollow cylindrical body and is laterally arranged of the liquid container, the opening(s) defined by said surface and in communication with said liquid being differently locatable with respect to the liquid surface by rotation of said cylindrical body.

United States Patent Pankoke et al. [451 May 16, 1972 154 APPARATUS FORPOURING SURFACE 3,341,354 9/1967 Woods et al ..117/105.3

TREATMENT LIQUIDS ONTO WORKPIECES Primary Examiner-Louis K. RimrodtAttorney-Amster & Rothstein [72] Inventors: Werner Pankoke; DieterKormeyer, both of Bielefeld, Germany [57} ABSTRACT Assigneei TheodorHymmen Bielefeld, Ger- The invention comprises apparatus for pouringsurface treaty ment liquids onto substantially level workpieces toenable dif- [22] Filed, Sept 11 1969 ferent liquids with differentviscosities to be used to good effeet comprising an elongated liquidcontainer having upper [2i Appl. No.: 857,182 liquid feed means andwalls defining a longitudinally extending pouring gap between theirsurfaces in the lower region of said container, characterized by anoverflow device for adjust- U.S. Cl ..ll8/324(;gZ/s5/7H7 g said liquidlevel in Said container which device is located I 58] Field 0 Search 438/} on said container and communicates with said liquid con- E1 l i htainer; the surface of said overflow device defining openings at variouslevels which are offset relative to one another and alternately closablewhereby said liquid level may be adjusted. [56] References Cited Theoverflow device is preferably a rotatable hollow cylindrin- STATESPATENTS cal body and is laterally arranged of the liquid container, theopening(s) defined by said surface and in communication with 219,963 9/l 879 Mather ..38/3 said liquid being diff tl humble with respect to h iid g y 3 surface by rotation of said cylindrical body.

er one 3,089,508 5/1963 Schulze et a]. ..137/577 X 7 Claims, 9 DrawingFigures PKTENTEDm 16 m2 3.662710 sum 1 OF 5 Fig. 7

ci j i 70b In ven tors:

Werner Pankoke Dieter Kormeyer I by 7 Attorneys PHEN'TEDIAY 164972 SHEET2 OF 5 Fig.2

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Inventors:

Werner Pankoke Dieter Korm yer 1/ Aiiorn eys P'ATENTEflmusmz I 3.662.719

SHEET u 0F 5 Inventors Werner Pankoke Dieter Kormeyr AflorneysPKTE'NTEDMAY 16 I972 SHEET 5 [IF 5 Fig.9

In ven tors:

Attorneys APPARATUS FOR POURING SURFACE TREATMENT LIQUIDS ONTOWORKPIECES The present invention concerns apparatus for pouring liquidssuch as varnish, mordants, pickling agents or adhesives onto workpiecessuch as panels, webs, plastics material foils, sheet metals or the likepassing thereunder.

Such pouring apparatus are provided inv known manner with an elongatedliquid container and a gap or slot of variable width from which a liquidfilm issues and is deposited on the workpiece carried therepast. Varyingfilm thicknesses occur accidentally even with constant gap width andaffect the surface treatment in an adverse manner. Such variations occurbecause of differing viscosities arising out of varying materials or onaccount of changing temperatures etc.

Attempts have been made to overcome this disadvantage by adjustment ofthe gap width or by other measures such as the arrangement of filmdeflecting devices to adapt the film thickness to given circumstances.

It has been found favorable instead of, or additionally to, varying thewidth of gap or other additional mechanical devices, to vary thepressure of the liquid in the-container and thereby to influence theflow velocity and hence the quantity applied. In this connection it isknown to vary the flow velocity of the liquid by varying the pumppressure or the like and hence the dynamic pressure of the liquid withinthe container. Such variation of the dynamic pressure of the liquid canonly be inaccurately efiected.

It is an object of the present invention to provide simple pouringapparatus which permits the static pressure of the liquid in thecontainer to be varied mechanically.

According to the present invention apparatus for pouring surfacetreatment liquids onto substantially level workpieces, comprising anelongated liquid container having upper liquid feed means and wallsdefining a longitudinally extending pouring gap between their surfacesin the lower region of said container, characterized by an overflowdevice for adjusting said liquid level in said container which device islocated on said container and communicates with said liquid in saidcontainer; the surface of said overflow device defining openings atvarious levels which are offset relative to one another and alternatelyclosable whereby said liquid level may be adjusted.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a rotatable body such as acylinder or the like is provided or adisplaceable body locatablelaterally-of the liquid is arranged on the container to act as anoverflow device for the liquid from the container. Overflow openings ofthe apparatus are adapted to be partly covered by a positionalchange ofthe rotary or displaceable body. Preferably, a plurality of aperturesare provided on the circumference of a cylinder which is preferablyrotatable about a vertical axis. The apertures in the form of holes,slots or the like are offset relative each other and can be alternatelyhermetically sealed by an'enclosing sleeve, when the rotatable body isrotated in the sleeve which is provided on one side or more sides withslots for the passage of overflowing liquid. Such an overflow device inthe form of a rotary body is operationally reliable and permits theliquid level to be readily adjusted by suitably arranging the openings,slots or the like relative to one another.

It is within the scope of the invention to provide overflow device witha rotatable or displaceable body in a lateral or central region of theliquid container. It may, however, also be particularly advantageous inwider liquid containers to arrange two overflow devices, external of thecontainer in order thereby to provide an improvedbut not necessarilyuniform liquid level, variable as required, and accordingly, equal ordifferent liquid outlet velocities over the width of the device.

The adjustability of the liquid level in the pouring head causes theliquid pressure at the outlet gap and hence the outlet velocity to beinfluenced. A regulating principle is thus provided which greatlyimproves and extends the operating ability of the pouring machine.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is aplan view of a liquid pouring device in which the containerhas lateral overflow devices and central feeds:

FIG. 2 is a vertical section on the line I I of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line II ll of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line III III of FIG. 3; I

FIG. 5 is a development of .the rotatable body shown in FIGS. 1 to 5; I

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectionthrough a modified embodiment of a liquidcontainer with overflow device;

FIG. 7 is a plan view from below of a pouring lip located in the regionof the liquid container with adjusting device;

FIG. 8 is a section through the pouring lip shown in FIG. 7 having anadjusting device taken on the line IV IV of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is aperspective view of a bafi'le located in the lower region ofthe liquid container.

A liquid container 10 of a pouring apparatus for varnish or the. likesurface .treatment liquid, extends over, the whole working width of theapparatus above the panel-like or webshaped workpieces (not shown) movedtherebelow. The liquid container 10 is defined by two end walls 10a and10b and two longitudinal walls 10c and 10d and has a gap 11 in a lowerregion the width of which gap is determined by a baffle 12 at one endand by an adjustable pouring lip 13 at the other end. The liquid to bepoured enters through the inlets 14a and l 4b. Excess liquid isdischarged through the lateral overflow devices 15a and 15b, which inaccordance with the invention determine the surface level of the liquidand hence the magnitude of the static pressure of the liquid at the gap11 andthercby the outlet velocity of the liquid film therefrom.

Each overflow device 15a and 15b has a sleeve 16 in which a cylinder 17is mounted and freely rotatable by means of an adjusting device whichcomprises a spindle shaft 18 with spin dles 20a and 20b rotatablymounted onthe liquid container wall and a lateral handwheel l9at oneendwith a worm wheel 21a and 2lb each mounted on the cylinder 17. v V

A plurality of holes l7a are formed in the cylinder .17 which arelaterally and vertically so, offset relative to one another (see FIG. 6)that, in the region of a vertical slot 22 provided in the longitudinalwall 10d and the sleeve 16, a'certain opening surface is. exposed in aposition of the cylinderl7 and located at a certain height. This allowsboth the liquid quantity inwardly discharged (into internal space 17b)through one or two adjacent holes 17a and the level of the liquidsurface to be varied in stages or continuously simply by rotating thecylinder 17. The mutual distance between the holes 174 may also bechanged in different cylinders, so that by interchanging cylinders adifi'erentoutlet quantity may be adjusted. Depending .upon the positionof one or more holes 17a in the slot 22 (see FIGSQZ to 4), a simple turnof the handwheel 19 sets a' dif.

ferent liquid level (height h). The sleeve 16 formed asa blockhermetically seals the cylinder laterally of the slot 22. i

FIGS. 6 to 8 show an alternative embodiment and mounting of a pouringlip 13 in accordance with the invention, the

lateral displacement of which by means of screws 13a having lateralclearance, and screws 13b,.enables the width of the'gap 11 and hence theconnection with the overflow device of the invention allowing the filmthickness to 'be accurately adjusted. The pouring lip 13 has two edges13c and 13d formed by inclined surfaces, so that by turning the pouringlip through a newv edge is available. r

The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 of alower baffle plat e 23 has two ormore magnets 24 located on an angled member 25 partly forming thecontainer, bottom, so'that this bafile 23 is readily detachable orinsertable.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for pouring surface treatment liquids of varying viscosityonto substantially horizontally held panel or leaflike workpieces,comprising a longitudinal liquid container having an upper liquid supplyimean s and a lowenelon'gated pouring gap, said liquid container havingat least one vertically extending slot formed in a side wall thereof, atleast one adjustable overflow device mounted on said side wall of saidliquid container, said overflow device having a vertically extendingslot formed in one wall thereof and said overflow slot being in registerwith said container slot, a hollow cylinder rotatably mounted withinsaid overflow device and having a lower outlet and a plurality oflateral supply openings which are arranged vertically and laterallyoffset relative to one another, and means for rotating said cylinder toa position whereby one of said supply openings is in register with saidcontainer slot and said overflow slot so that any liquid above thelowermost periphery of said registered supply opening is dischargedthrough said lower outlet and determines the liquid level in saidcontainer.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for rotating saidcylinder includes a worm gear connected to said hollow cylinder, arotating spindle to drive said worm gear, said spindle extending in alongitudinal direction parallel to said liquid container and a handwheelto operate said spindle from one end of said apparatus.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hollow cylinder isrotatable by means of an adjustment device.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pouring gap is definedon one side by a baffle plate and on the other side by an adjustablepouring lip, said baffle plate being bent at an angle and retained inposition by permanent magnets.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said pouring lip is mountedso as to be laterally displaceable by means of screws.

6. Apparatus for pouring surface treatment liquids of varying viscosityonto substantially horizontally held panel or leaflike workpieces,comprising an elongated liquid container having an upper liquid supplymeans and alower, elongated pouring gap, said liquid container having atleast one vertical slot formed in a side wall thereof, at least oneadjustable overflow device mounted on said side wall of said liquidcontainer, said overflow device having a vertical slot formed thereinand being in register with said container slot, a hollow cylinderrotatably mounted within said adjustable overflow device and having alower outflow and a plurality of supply openings which are spaced alonga helical line around said hollow cylinder, said supply openings eachhaving a maximum width corresponding to the width of said liquidcontainer slot and said overflow device slot, and means for rotatingsaid hollow cylinder from one end of said apparatus.

7. Apparatus for pouring liquids onto workpieces moved therebelow,comprising a container for receiving liquids, said container having aslot formed in a wall thereof and a lower pouring gap, an overflowdevice mounted on said wall of said liquid container, said overflowdevice having a slot in register with said container slot, a hollowcylinder rotatably mounted within said overflow device and having aplurality of openings offset vertically and laterally relative to eachother, and means for rotating said cylinder to a position whereby one ofsaid openings is in register with said container slot and said overflowslot so that the height of the liquid and its static pressure may bevaried in order to control the flow velocity of the pouring liquid.

1. Apparatus for pouring surface treatment liquids of varying viscosity onto substantially horizontally held panel or leaf-like workpieces, comprising a longitudinal liquid container having an upper liquid supply means and a lower, elongated pouring gap, said liquid container having at least one vertically extending slot formed in a side wall thereof, at least one adjustable overflow device mounted on said side wall of said liquid container, said overflow device having a vertically extending slot formed in one wall thereof and said overflow slot being in register with said container slot, a hollow cylinder rotatably mounted within said overflow device and having a lower outlet and a plurality of lateral supply openings which are arranged vertically and laterally offset relative to one another, and means for rotating said cylinder to a position whereby one of said supply openings is in register with said container slot and said overflow slot so that any liquid above the lowermost periphery of said registered supply opening is discharged through said lower outlet and determines the liquid level in said container.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for rotating said cylinder includes a worm gear connected to said hollow cylinder, a rotating spindle to drive said worm gear, said spindle extending in a longitudinal direction parallel to said liquid container and a handwheel to operate said spindle from one end of said apparatus.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hollow cylinder is rotatable by means of an adjustment device.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pouring gap is defined on one side by a baffle plate and on the other side by an adjustable pouring lip, said baffle plate being bent at an angle and retained in position by permanent magnets.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said pouring lip is mounted so as to be laterally displaceable by means of screws.
 6. Apparatus for pouring surface treatment liquids of varying viscosity onto substantially horizontally held panel or leaf-like workpieces, comprising an elongated liquid container having an upper liquid supply means and a lower, elongaTed pouring gap, said liquid container having at least one vertical slot formed in a side wall thereof, at least one adjustable overflow device mounted on said side wall of said liquid container, said overflow device having a vertical slot formed therein and being in register with said container slot, a hollow cylinder rotatably mounted within said adjustable overflow device and having a lower outflow and a plurality of supply openings which are spaced along a helical line around said hollow cylinder, said supply openings each having a maximum width corresponding to the width of said liquid container slot and said overflow device slot, and means for rotating said hollow cylinder from one end of said apparatus.
 7. Apparatus for pouring liquids onto workpieces moved therebelow, comprising a container for receiving liquids, said container having a slot formed in a wall thereof and a lower pouring gap, an overflow device mounted on said wall of said liquid container, said overflow device having a slot in register with said container slot, a hollow cylinder rotatably mounted within said overflow device and having a plurality of openings offset vertically and laterally relative to each other, and means for rotating said cylinder to a position whereby one of said openings is in register with said container slot and said overflow slot so that the height of the liquid and its static pressure may be varied in order to control the flow velocity of the pouring liquid. 